Lehigh County Judge Doug Reichley
said Kyle Bower, 20, made a "laughing-stock of himself" and warned he will go to
state prison if he drinks even a drop of alcohol in that five years.

"You
have an alcohol problem and seem to have no desire to do anything about
it," Reichley said. "You've got to grow up, and the sooner you do, the
more productive a person you can be."

Bower pleaded guilty today to theft by unlawful taking and agricultural vandalism, and was sentenced to a minimum of time served and a maximum of 23 months in prison.

That means he will be immediately eligible for parole. But he also received three years of probation, which in effect becomes five years when combined with the supervision from his 23-month maximum sentence.

"You need to address this, or else you're going to be looking through a thick glass window at your fiancee and child," Reichley said. Bower has a fiancee who is eight months pregnant.

Bower, wearing a blue prison jumpsuit, agreed that he has a drinking problem, but insisted he in fact wants to take steps to fix it.

"I know it starts with my attitudes and behavior," he said. "... I don't want to lead this life anymore, your honor."

Bower, then 19, drove his car Oct. 4 through an acre of farm field in Lower Macungie Township at Ruth Road and Smith Lane, causing $595 in damage, and then abandoned the car there.

In the back seat, police found campaign signs for presidential candidate Mitt Romney, U.S. Rep. Charlie Dent, and house State candidate Ryan Mackenzie. They were reported stolen from an Alburtis yard.

He was also arrested in Kutztown on Oct. 28, 2011, where he was stopped for drinking in public with other men. Police said he lied to officers about his identity, slipped out of handcuffs and ran away.

Bower's sentence today included a penalty for violating parole on the Macungie charges. Stump said he does not expect Bower to face a probation violation in Berks County.